Glad you got it fixed, and yes, that was my diagnosis, among others.

How can it happen? Shock and vibration can break an internal cell connector,
and it could be making connection only intermittently. Probably a
manufacturing defect. Make sure the battery is firmly secured so it doesn't
vibrate, and keep it clean and free of corrosion.

Happy Motoring!

Stephen Clark

PS - If you are in Houston, I can recommend an excellent independent Audi
mechanic -
European Precision, 713-974-5854. Tell Fred I sent you! Shop around before
you get the timing belt changed, and be sure to change the water pump at the
same time.

"Wayne Crannell" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Stephen Clark" > wrote:
>
> > Wayne:
> >
> > Did you get your battery problems sorted out?
>
> Our mechanic, who we trust and who works on higher end cars (he's got an
> older Rolls in his garage now!) than we'll ever own, said it was a bad
> cell in the battery, like some people here said (you?). What I don't get
> is that it was fine for the two weeks after the initial problem, then it
> went bad again, and we could not jump it. Plus, how does a battery go
> for 18 months with no problems and then all of the sudden develop a bad
> cell? I can't help wondering what electrical gremlin made this happen.
> Good news is that the mechanic managed to squeeze an A8 battery into our
> A6 for a little more oomph and almost no extra money.
>
> Everything is great for now....even found out that the brake pads are
> only half gone after 55000 miles. Next, the timing belt....
>
> --
> Wayne Crannell
> Xxxxxxx, TX